As you know, I undertook an extensive consultation initiative across late September and early September to gauge your views and feedback on what the City Council envisages as being an effective plan to reduce vehicular speeds along Arbour Hill. So many of you came back to me sharing your thoughts, offering your opinions and assessment on the measures included in the draft Traffic Improvement Scheme for Arbour Hill. For that, I wish to thank you but because of the volume of emails, texts and Facebook messages I received, it has taken a little longer than expected to update you as to how we progress the Improvement Scheme from here.

I have been liaising with the Local Traffic Engineer in the Transportation Department of Dublin City Council to analyse your feedback and what changes or clarification is required prior to the scheme being finalised.

I am happy to report to you that Dublin City Council is advancing the tendering stage of this project and I expect that contractors will be appointed to complete the works in the coming weeks. However, due to the Garda Operation Freeflow beginning on November 28th next, it is likely that the construction work associated with the Traffic Improvement Scheme will take place until after Christmas.

Finally, I have compiled a further short questions & answers document which address the variety of questions, queries and issues raised during the consultative initiative earlier in the autumn for your information.

ARBOUR HILL TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS….

1. Will the footpath extend along Temple Street West?

Yes. The footpath will extend from the Museum entrance on Arbour Hill to Temple Street West and tie-in with the existing footpath.

2. Will there be some form of pedestrian crossing linking the north and south sides of Arbour Hill?

Yes. An uncontrolled pedestrian crossing will be installed near the Arbour Hill / Cavalry Row junction to facilitate north to south pedestrian movements.

In addition, a buildout will be installed on north side of Arbour Hill at the existing pedestrian crossing point near the Museum Entrance. This will slow traffic and reduce the distance pedestrians need to cross the road.

3. How wide will the footpath be?

The footpath will be a minimum of 1.8 meters wide. According to the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS), this is the minimum recommended footpath width for two wheelchairs to pass by each other.

4. Will there be cycle lanes?

Yes. There will be advisory cycle lanes on both sides of the road.

5. What types of trees will be planted?

Dublin City Council’s Parks Department will select the most suitable tree species depending on their suitability to setting, biodiversity value and visual appearance.

6. Will the existing cobblestones be retained?

The existing cobblestones have been incorporated into the detailed design and are likely to be retained in their current position.

7. Other traffic issues were raised, how and when will they be addressed?

The other traffic issues that were highlighted but not related to the scheme have been forwarded to the Traffic Advisory Group, which will present recommendations on each to the North Inner City Area Committee.